About the Center

In 2017, a substantial portion of the New-York Historical Society’s fourth floor will reopen as the Center for the Study of Women’s History, a cutting-edge museum and hub for scholarship. This landmark initiative will be the country’s first permanent, public exhibition and educational center dedicated to women’s history. It will highlight the significance of women’s history to the study of the American past, and demonstrate how women across the spectrum of race, class and culture exercised power and brought about change even before they could access the ballot box. Guided by a committee of distinguished historians, and informed by the latest research, the Center will combine permanent installations, temporary exhibitions, and a vibrant program of talks and debates to enrich the cultural landscape of New York City.

Major funding for the Center for the Study of Women’s History is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Joyce B. Cowin, and Jean Margo Reid. Corporate support provided by Hogan Lovells.

Small Design Firm Inc.

The large-format, permanent multimedia installation “Women’s Voices” will present a diverse array of stories, exploring how women’s words and actions have driven social change from America’s earliest days to the present. The interactive display will give voice to famous and forgotten women, alongside video commentary from leading historians and thinkers in women’s studies. Visitors to the Center will have the opportunity to discover new role models, pursue unexpected links between historical figures across time, and contribute their own stories to an ever-expanding network of knowledge.